Judges 9:47
Judges 9:47 in Multiple Translations
And when Abimelech was told that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there,
And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
And it was told Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
And word was given to Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem were there together.
When Abimelech found out that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem had gathered there,
And it was tolde Abimelech, that all the men of the towre of Shechem were gathered together.
and it is declared to Abimelech that all the masters of the tower of Shechem have gathered themselves together,
Abimelech was told that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
And it was told to Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were assembled.
Abimelech also hearing that the men of the tower of Sichem were gathered together,
But someone told Abimelech that all the leaders had gathered there.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 9:47
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Judges 9:47 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֻּגַּ֖ד
לַ/אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ
כִּ֣י
הִֽתְקַבְּצ֔וּ
כָּֽל
בַּעֲלֵ֖י
מִֽגְדַּל
שְׁכֶֽם
וַ/יֻּגַּ֖ד
nâgad
H5046
to tell
Conj | V-Hophal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לַ/אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ
ʼĂbîymelek
H40
Ahimelech
Prep | N-proper
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
הִֽתְקַבְּצ֔וּ
qâbats
H6908
to gather
V-Hithpael-Perf-3cp
כָּֽל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
בַּעֲלֵ֖י
baʻal
H1167
master
N-mp
מִֽגְדַּל
migdâl
H4026
tower
N-cs
שְׁכֶֽם
Shᵉkem
H7927
Shechem
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 9:47
וַ/יֻּגַּ֖ד
nâgad
H5046
"to tell"
Conj | V-Hophal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.
לַ/אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ
ʼĂbîymelek
H40
"Ahimelech"
Prep | N-proper
Abimelech was the name of two Philistine kings and two Israelites in the Bible, including a king who met Abraham and a priest who helped David. The name means 'my father is king'.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.17; son of: Abiathar (H0054); brother of: Jonathan (H3083I) Another spelling of a.chi.me.lekh (אֲחִימֶ֫לֶךְ "Ahimelech" H0288I) § Abimelech = "Melek is father" or "my father is king" 1) king of Gerar in Abraham's time 2) king of Gath in David's time; maybe title of Philistine kings 3) son of Gideon by a concubine 4) priest, son of Abiathar
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: Abimelech. See also: Genesis 20:2; Judges 9:20; Psalms 34:1.
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
הִֽתְקַבְּצ֔וּ
qâbats
H6908
"to gather"
V-Hithpael-Perf-3cp
To gather or collect people or things, like when the Israelites assembled in the book of Numbers. It's about bringing things or people together in one place.
Definition: 1) to gather, assemble 1a) (Qal) to gather, collect, assemble 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, gather 1b2) to be gathered 1c) (Piel) to gather, gather together, take away 1d) (Pual) to be gathered together 1e) (Hithpael) to gather together, be gathered together
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: assemble (selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up), heap, resort, [idiom] surely, take up. See also: Genesis 41:35; Proverbs 28:8; Psalms 41:7.
כָּֽל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בַּעֲלֵ֖י
baʻal
H1167
"master"
N-mp
Means master or owner, often referring to a husband or leader, as seen in the book of Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : master/leader 1) owner, husband, lord 1a) owner 1b) a husband 1c) citizens, inhabitants 1d) rulers, lords 1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] archer, [phrase] babbler, [phrase] bird, captain, chief man, [phrase] confederate, [phrase] have to do, [phrase] dreamer, those to whom it is due, [phrase] furious, those that are given to it, great, [phrase] hairy, he that hath it, have, [phrase] horseman, husband, lord, man, [phrase] married, master, person, [phrase] sworn, they of. See also: Genesis 14:13; 1 Samuel 23:11; Proverbs 1:17.
מִֽגְדַּל
migdâl
H4026
"tower"
N-cs
Migdal means tower, referring to a tall structure or elevated stage. It can also symbolize a bed of flowers in the Bible.
Definition: 1) tower 1a) tower 1b) elevated stage, pulpit 1c) raised bed
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: castle, flower, tower. Compare the names following. See also: Genesis 11:4; Nehemiah 3:26; Psalms 48:13.
שְׁכֶֽם
Shᵉkem
H7927
"Shechem"
N-proper
Shechem refers to a city in Palestine and a man who lived during the time of the Patriarchs, mentioned in Genesis 33:19. He was the son of Hamor, a Hivite chieftain. The city was located between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.33.19; son of: Hamor (H2544) § Shechem = "back" or "shoulder" 1) son of Hamor, the chieftain of the Hivites at Shechem at the time of Jacob's arrival 2) a city in Manasseh; located in a valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, 34 miles (54 km) north of Jerusalem and 7 miles (10.5 km) south- east of Samaria
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: Shechem. See also: Genesis 12:6; Judges 9:6; Psalms 60:8.
Study Notes — Judges 9:47
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Fall of Shechem
45And all that day Abimelech fought against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he demolished the city and sowed it with salt.
46On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.
47And when Abimelech was told that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there,
48he and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his axe in his hand and cut a branch from the trees, which he lifted to his shoulder, saying to his men, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.” 49So each man also cut his own branch and followed Abimelech. Then they piled the branches against the inner chamber and set it on fire above them, killing everyone in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women.Judges 9:47 Summary
In Judges 9:47, we see Abimelech seeking to destroy the leaders of Shechem who had gathered in the tower. This verse reminds us that our actions have consequences, and that seeking power and control can lead to harm and destruction, as warned against in Proverbs 16:18. Instead, we are called to trust in God and seek His wisdom and guidance, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 37:3-7. By surrendering our desires for power and control to God, we can find true strength and refuge in Him, and live a life that honors and serves others, as seen in Matthew 20:25-28 and 1 Peter 5:2-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of the tower of Shechem in Judges 9:47?
The tower of Shechem was a place of refuge and strength for the leaders of Shechem, as seen in Judges 9:46-49, similar to the strong towers mentioned in Judges 8:17 and 9:51.
Why did Abimelech want to know the location of the leaders of Shechem?
Abimelech wanted to know the location of the leaders of Shechem so he could attack and destroy them, as part of his campaign to assert his authority and control over the region, as seen in Judges 9:45-49 and reminiscent of the warnings against seeking power and control in Proverbs 16:18.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the story of Abimelech in Judges 9?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the story of Abimelech, as it sets the stage for his brutal attack on the tower of Shechem and the subsequent destruction of the city, highlighting the cycle of violence and revenge in Judges 9, similar to the patterns seen in Judges 8:13-17 and 1 Samuel 15:2-3.
What can we learn from Abimelech's actions in this verse?
Abimelech's actions in this verse demonstrate the dangers of ambition, pride, and a desire for power, as warned against in Proverbs 16:18 and 1 Peter 5:6, and serve as a reminder of the importance of humility and trust in God, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7 and Proverbs 3:5-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I seek power or control in my own life, and how can I surrender those desires to God?
- How can I balance my desire for justice and righteousness with the need for mercy and compassion, as seen in Micah 6:8 and Matthew 5:7?
- What are some 'towers' in my life where I may be seeking refuge or strength, rather than trusting in God, and how can I apply the principles of Psalm 37:3-7 and Proverbs 3:5-6 to those areas?
- How can I use my own influence and authority to build up and serve others, rather than seeking to destroy or dominate them, as seen in Matthew 20:25-28 and 1 Peter 5:2-4?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 9:47
And it was told Abimelech,.... Who had his spies about, and particularly to observe the motions of the men in this tower: that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together; in the hold of the temple of Baalberith.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 9:47
And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 9:47
Judges 9:47 And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.Ver. 47. And it was told Abimelech.] Who carefully watched all their motions, and had his corycaei to give him intelligence of all passages.
Cambridge Bible on Judges 9:47
42–49. Abimelech destroys Shechem and Migdal-Shechem After the Shechemites have suffered the severe defeat just described, and Abimelech has retired and dwelt at Arumah, it is incredible that, on the next morning, the people should come out of the city as if nothing had happened, and that Abimelech should be able to surprise them by the same device which had proved so successful the day before. All difficulties disappear if we regard these verses, not as the sequel to 34–41, but as a second account of Abimelech’s attack on Shechem, originally following 22–25. The Shechemites break out into open treason (Judges 9:25); A. takes instant (‘on the morrow’ Judges 9:42) and severe revenge. Moore thinks that Judges 9:22-25 are derived from E, Judges 9:42-49 and Judges 9:26-41 from J.